Prayer Suggestions for Grandparents

The prayer of a righteous man (grandparent) is powerful and effective.  James 5:16b

Spiritual Trust Fund

by Lillian Penner, CGN National Prayer Coordinator

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” 

Matthew 6:19, 20

We may not have material wealth to pass on to our children, grandchildren, and future descendents. However, author Jennifer Kennedy Dean shares in her book, The Legacy of Prayer, about a Spiritual Trust Fund that will only increase in value.

• We can leave behind for our descendants a spiritual trust that can never be stolen, squandered, or lost.

• We can lay up a storehouse of imperishable wealth by praying for our grandchildren and future generations.

• Our prayers are deposits in their spiritual trust fund and will be for withdrawals when needed.

Recently, I found a letter in my family archives written by my great-grandfather in Poland to his son, in America. In the letter, he wrote that he was praying for his son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was a blessing for me to see in writing that my great-grandfather had prayed for me before I was born

Our descendents do not inherit salvation. Nevertheless, we can pray our descendants will live in a constant awareness of God’s presence and be firmly established in His Word preparing their hearts for when presented with an opportunity to step into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 14:26 tells us, “He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.” As we seek the Lord ourselves, we are laying up treasures for future generations. As we invest in our own walk with the Lord and our prayers for our grandchildren and future generations, we are investing in eternity.¹

Now isn’t that a great return on an investment all of us would enjoy seeing?

¹Jennifer Kennedy Dean, Legacy of Prayer (Birmingham, New Hope Publishers). 48, 49

© 2008 Lillian Penner
January 21, 2008

Lillian Ann Penner is a retired secretary from public high school in Bakersfield, CA. She and her husband, John, have been married 48 years and currently reside in Portland, OR.  They have three married sons and nine grandchildren.

Lillian has been active in church ministry for 45 years, and has led a "Heart to Heart" mentoring program for women, participated in a short term missions trip in Ukraine, volunteered at the Northwest Regional office of Wycliffe Translators, Jose Zayas Evangelistic Association, and Focus On the Family. Currently, she teaches a women's Bible study in her home church.